all the distresses and sufferings of mortality. But his greatest loss consisted in his becoming estranged from his gracious Creatorin dying to that holy and happy state which he enjoyed in paradise. That immortal spirit, which had been "breathed into him" by the Almighty, no longer subsisted in its native innocence and purity; but had become subject to the influence of Him who hath "the power of death"-that fallen angel which had deceived and betrayed Him. How awfully changed was also the outward condition of man!-driven from Eden, the garden of God, excluded from the tree of life, whilst the visible creation shared in the curse.

CHAP. IV. Yet fallen, as they were, the compassion and mercy of Jehovah were still extended towards the intelligent creatures whom, in His infinite beneficence, He had been pleased to call into existence; and, whilst the attribute of immutable justice awarded the penalty, that of unfathomable love provided a means of pardon and restoration; for, with the awful sentence pronouned on them, they received the gracious

assurance that he, who had so cruelly deceived them and laid waste the works of God, should be subdued by one who would proceed from the woman, whose frailty had first yielded to the delusive baits of the tempter. "And the Lord God said unto the serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above every beast of the field; and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; -it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

Obscure as was this intimation to our first parents of a Deliverer, who should triumph over the betrayer and enemy of mankind, their faith and hope were thus directed towards a Redeemer-even to Him who, "in the fulness of time," 66 was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

CHAP. V.-And Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. In them we have a very striking illustration of the power of the opposite principles of good and evil. Cain gave proof of the most awful effects of the fall: he was of that wicked one:" but "righteous

Abel" had yielded his heart to the will of God, and was "renewed after the image of Him that created him." It appears evident that the Almighty communicated to both of them some knowledge of Himself, and of that which He required from them. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground: and it came to pass, in process of time, that they each brought an offering unto the Lord. "And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering, but unto Cain and his offering He had not respect."

The Apostle informs us, that "by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh." And here let us observe, the remarkable nature of this sacrifice of faith; a lamb-the firstling of the flock. A lively type of Him who is called "The lamb slain from the foundation of the world;" being, from the beginning to the end of time, the one all-sufficient sacrifice of atonement for sin, by which salvation is bestowed on every repentant and obedient soul.

The offering made by Abel suggests various considerations of deep importance and instruction. It leads us to meditate on the nature of faith, and on the state of mind in which it can become a living and active principle. It implies, in the first place, an implicit belief in all that is revealed to us concerning God, and "His wonderful works," both as they relate to material, and to spiritual objects. But there is yet a far more essential principle developed in faith; for a belief in God, and in His mighty acts, is, as we learn from the testimony of an inspired Apostle, entertained even by Devils-but faith implies, in addition to this entire assent of the understanding, a yielding of the heart to the will and guidance of an invisible Being, in whose power and goodness it perfectly confides, and whom it devoutly worships. This faith brings the soul of man into communion with his gracious Creator-into a realization of the favour and love of God;-being "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen;" enabling the Lord's regenerate and justified children, not only to hope for the blessing of a better existence, but even to

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lay hold on eternal life." This faith is begotten and renewed, in the obedient mind, by the Holy Spirit, which "worketh in us to will and to do of His good pleasure."

CHAP. VI.-How far the " more excellent sacrifice," which "by faith Abel offered unto God," was comprehended by his understanding, we are not informed: but we may clearly perceive that he was guided by the God whom he worshipped. Very different was the state of his brother's heart, and his oblation was not acceptable to the Lord. "And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth, and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? but if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not.-Am I my brother's keeper ?" And the Lord said, "What hast thou done? the voice of thy